Abstract: An identification arrangement for a character transcribed onto a surface has sensors, circuits for periodically detecting the state of the output signals from the sensors, and a change-of-state detector for determining which, among the output signals, is in a high state. Each of the output signals in a high state is compared with the output signal which had been produced by the same sensor during detection of the preceding state. A storage unit stores an identifier corresponding to the sensors for which a change of state has thus been detected, the stored identifiers thus forming a sequence of identifiers corresponding to the transcribed character. The stored sequence of identifiers is compared with at least one sequence of reference identifiers in order to identify the transcribed character.

Abstract: This invention is a guidewire for guiding a catheter and is used for accessing a targeted site within a lumen system in a body. The guidewire or guidewire section has a wire core, a distal tip region, a polymeric tie layer, and a lubricious coating. The tie layer is preferably constructed to provide for sections of varying flexibility along the length of the guidewire. Variations of the tie layer provide for axially spaced sections of varying flexibility, radially layers of varying flexibility of both. In a special variation, the tie layer is constructed with at least one section providing increased stiffness distally.

Abstract: A method for rebuilding contents of a malfunctioned direct access storage device within a log-structured array is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, each direct access storage device within a log-structured array is divided into multiple segment-columns, and each corresponding segment-column from each direct access storage device within the log-structured array forms a segment. A segment is first located within the direct access storage devices. A determination is made as to whether or not the segment is empty. In response to a determination that the segment is empty, a pointer is moved within a segment-column mapping table from pointing to a segment-column in the malfunctioned direct access storage device to point to a segment-column in a spare direct access storage device of the segment.

Abstract: An apparatus an method for adaptive time slot scheduling of communications traffic generated by end-point host in ATM network. The scheduler includes a time slot ring including an array of time slots, wherein each of said time slots includes a virtual channel identifier (VCID) of a virtual channel (VC) to be serviced; a VC table including an array of VC descriptors, wherein the VCID stored in said time slot ring points to a VC descriptor in the VC table; and processor for scheduling the VCs in said time slots of said time slot ring, wherein the time slots ring are circularly processed in a continuous fashion thereby enabling scheduled transmission of ATM cells in the network. The processor is operable to queue the VCID of a newly calculated target slot in an already occupied time slot if the newly calculated target slot is occupied, thereby creating a linked list of VCs, and the processor is operable to service all VCs at a single time slot before proceeding to a next time slot.

Abstract: A programmable circuit apparatus having a programmable circuit and an input/output circuit with a first terminal is provided. The programmable circuit apparatus includes a programming circuit, with a bus junction, for programming the programmable circuit. The programmable circuit apparatus further includes an isolation circuit having an isolation input, coupled to the first terminal, and an isolation output, coupled to the bus junction of the programming circuit. The isolation circuit further has an isolation control gate which can receive a control signal and in response to that signal, the control gate controllably couples the isolation input to the isolation output. The programmable circuit apparatus also includes an apparatus for testing the routing, the programming circuitry, and the programmable circuit with a minimal impact on the performance of the programmable circuit.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a catheter suitable for treating a tissue target within the body, which target is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a multi-component distal section having an interior stiffener and an exterior tubing member.